Ronaldo missed Real's first four La Liga games through
suspension, but has managed just one goal in the last five and was wasteful
once more in front of goal as Madrid eased past Eibar 3-0 on Sunday.

"He is the best by a long way," said Zidane when
asked if Ronaldo was the best player of his generation.

The Portuguese is expected to edge out Barcelona rival
Lionel Messi to the award thanks to his stunning end to last season.

Ronaldo scored 10 times from the quarter-finals of the
Champions League on as Real won a first La Liga and European Cup double in 59
years.

However, Messi has already scored 15 times in all
competitions for Barca this season and netted a stunning hat-trick to ensure
Argentina didn't miss out on next year's World Cup against Ecuador earlier this
month.

"He has shown it many times, he is always there in the
big games," added Zidane.

"All the awards are deserved because he always wants to
be the best and he is."

Zidane also defended compatriot Karim Benzema after former
England striker and TV presenter Gary Lineker described the Frenchman
"overrated."

Lineker's comments came as Benzema missed two huge chances
as Real were held 1-1 at home by Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

"He can have his opinion because he is on television a
lot, but if you say to me Karim is overrated I don't agree," said Zidane.

"I enjoy watching him on the field."

After Paulo Oliveira's own goal and Marco Asensio's strike
put Madrid in command on Sunday, Benzema came off the bench to tee up Real's
third for Marcelo.

"Brilliant assist from Benzema. With his sort of
quality it's hard to understand why Zidane left him out of the starting line-up,"
Lineker responded wryly to the attention his comments have garnered in Spain in
recent days.

However, Zidane repeated his defence of Benzema's style from
his pre-match press conference.

"Karim won't score 60 goals a season, but he will score
25 or 30 and make 30-40," Zidane said on Saturday.

And that point was perfectly evidenced by Benzema's defence
splitting pass for Marcelo to fire into the far corner.

"I like players who know how to associate with their
team-mates," continued Zidane.

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